24/12/22 – Tank and trailers on the way to Christmas

First as is the custom at this time of year, Merry Christmas, our usual end of year review will follow this update then it’s on to 2023. What better way to celebrate than working on wagons, on to Monday, and a Scarab day as 5209 had not fully cured to accept topcoat. Three fronts as we battled the Scammell tasks on the list

Ross stayed in the warmth of the mess coach with sewing machine, leather, wadding and thread. Sorting the upholstery for Lilibets seats, with Dan who I had given the task of identifying the Killamarsh Trailers running number, flecks of BR Crimson and what looks like British Road Service green but unfortunately no number remains.

Nick and Tom’s focus was also on the Killamarsh trailer, trying to unseize the right wheel and the Scammell coupler. The coupler was a success and works, although a little remedial action is required, namely replacement springs and lubrication. The wheel however remains stuck.

For me a task I have been looking at doing for sometime. The 25ft trailer really is too long for our use. So out with the grinder. Measuring the kurb rails to the proposed 15ft I found a manufactures mark in the same area.

Rails shortened, planks removed and head board and head rail moved back to its new position. Do we play the colour scheme game again? It will also get a renumber I have taken the original serial number 86256, divided it by 25, giving me a number per foot of 3450.25, which when multiplied by 15 gives 51754, rounded up. So HT 51754 E will be the new running number.

Tuesday and back to Rothley and with the undercoat dry it was out with the Gloss.

For the first time this year, Ross sprayed a wagon, despite this being the 17th wagon to receive paint.

Dan, Tom and Nick applying underframe black to…………well the underframe.

The Esso plates also received paint to the back

Wednesday and another Scarab day.
Ross attending to a few items on Lilibet, new rocker cover seal, fan belt and completion of the wiper wiring.

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Nick and I focusing on the NVR trailer, wooden framing replaced as required and bolted in position.

With the new cladding having arrived in the morning it was laid out ready for fitment, Danny was used as an anchor for a ratchet strap to straighten the frame. Then the right hand sheets were fitted and nailed to the new wood as would have originally been done.

Thursday and back to Rothley with the tank now dry it was time to start the finishing touches.

Ross and Nick fitted the Esso plates and then applied primer and under coat

Nick then painting the chassis steps black, touching up missed areas and painted the swan necks red.

Ross then applied undercoat and the first coat of yellow to the commuted charge symbols.

What was I doing? Signwriting, lots and lots of signwriting, Running numbers, Wheelbase, Load, Tare, solebar plates, traffic stars and release cord stars.

Still a little more to do but its starting to come together.

On to Friday and more signwriting for me, Builders plates, OLE warning, foot valve plate and Commuted Charge symbols.

Ross worked his magic on the Esso plates, sand, a further under coat and gloss.

Dan and Oliver scraped and painted under the tank.

Whilst Tom, applied gloss to the lamp irons, foot valve handles, hand brake ends and ladder.

Finally Ross freed off the axle end cap nuts, in preparation for exam after the big day.

Christmas Eve, leaving the tank once again, as we await gloss to cure and paint to arrive, it’s another Scarab day.

Tail board removed from the big trailer then all of the remaining floor boards, as I want to return the floor to its correct position and only having to remove 15ft worth of additional steel work is more manageable than 25ft worth.

All the farmer applied supports were cut and the kurb rails and head rail moved forward.

The rear over hang was then cut to the correct 17 and a bit inch from the rear axle support, and the tail board fitted.

With the outer rails complete, they were centred on the chassis, drilled and bolted to the 6 supports, 3 each side. The east side first as the west had a little bow. The east rail being used as an anchor to pull against whilst the west was bolted.

With the light failing and after raising the front of the trailer in preparation for the removal of the Scammell coupling, I was able to get a few poor images of the final size of the trailer.

Once again Merry Christmas from us.